SAEMA 2020: How DSS Emerged the Best Intelligence Agency of the Year
The Department of State Service (DSS) has bagged the best intelligence agency of the Year at the annual Security and Emergency Management Awards (SAEMA) 2020.
Also known as State Security Services (SSS), DSS is the foremost domestic intelligence agency in Nigeria.
Behind the scenes, the service played pivotal strategic roles in tackling the recent EndSARS protests through stakeholders’ engagements and strategic communication among other intervention mechanisms towards protecting national security.
The mission of the SSS is to protect and defend the Federal Republic of Nigeria against domestic threats, to uphold and enforce the criminal laws of Nigeria, and to provide leadership and criminal justice services to both federal and state law-enforcement organs.
It is primarily responsible for intelligence gathering within the country and for the protection of senior government officials, particularly the President and state governors.
The DSS is one of three successor organisations to the National Security Organization (NSO), dissolved in 1986. The SSS operates as a department within the presidency and is under the control of the National Security Adviser.
Without doubt, the DSS is the unsung hero of many successful internal security operations. The service till date prides itself in its biggest achievement, which is ensuring the indivisibility and indissolubility of the country by promptly addressing the various challenges to Nigeria’s internal security. This constitutional provision has been upheld including being charged with the task of conducting countermeasures against security threats, which is at the forefront of all its engagements.
Under the able leadership of Yusuf Magaji Bichi, its current Director-General, the Service has remained very committed and proactive in intelligence gathering and responding to sensitive national security threats. Its periodic issuance of security warning and alerts to Nigerians has in very significant ways prevented and pre-empted threats to the security of lives and property in the country.
But for the pivotal role of the Service before, during and after the #EndSARS under the leadership of the present Director General, Mr. Yusuf Magaji Bichi, and in synergy with other agencies, the consequences of the plan by clandestine elements to hijack the hitherto peaceful EndSARS protests, may have been irredeemable.
Yusuf Magaji Bichi Yusuf Bichi Magaji is from Bichi Local Government in Kano State. He attended Danbatta Secondary School, Kano State College of Advanced Studies and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where he graduated with a degree in Political Science.
Bichi began his career in the security division of the Cabinet Office in Kano, from where he joined the defunct Nigerian Security Organisation (NSO), the precursor of the present DSS. He has undergone training in intelligence processing analysis, agent handling recruitment and intelligence processing in the UK, as well as strategic training at the National Defence College.
He comes to the job with skills in intelligence gathering, research analysis, conflict management, general investigation, risk and vulnerability operations, counter intelligence and protective operation and human resources management. In the course of his career, Mr. Bichi has worked as the state Director of Security in Jigawa, Niger, Sokoto and Abia states.
Bichi was at various times the Director, National Assembly Liaison (National War College), Director at national headquarters in the Directorate of Security Enforcement, Directorate of Operations, Directorate of Intelligence, Directorate of Inspection and Directorate of Administration and Finance. He also served as Director at State Service Academy. He is happily married
SECURITY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AWARD WINNERS 2020
INSTITUTIONAL CATEGORIES
Public Information
Nigerian Customs Service
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Crime Prevention
Nigerian Correctional Service
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Intelligence Service
Department of State Security
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Community Service
Airtel
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Civil Military Relations
Nigerian Army
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Emergency Management
Emergency Communication Centre of Nigeria Communication Commission (National)
Dr. Mohammed Goje of Yobe Emergency Management Agency (State)
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SPECIAL CATEGORIES
Corporate social Responsibility
National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA)
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Training Institute of the Year
Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College
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Cybercrime Prevention
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibadan Branch
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Humanitarian Service
NEEM Foundation
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Volunteer Group
Kontagora Security Service
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Private Security Firm
Profile Security Service
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INDIVIDUAL CATEGORIES
Emergency Journalism
Austin Peacemakers
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Law Enforcement Officer
Commander Alfred Adewunmi/Kogi NDLEA
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Crisis Manager
Samuel Aruwan, Commissioner Internal Security Kaduna
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Gallantry
Commandant Ahmed Abodurin(NSCDC)/ Agro Ranger of NSCDC
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Security Officer of the Year
CSP Rabiu Garba of the Nigeria Police Force
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Military Officer of the Year
Captain Peter Gambo of the Nigerian Navy
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Minister of the Year
Dr Isa Pantami
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CERTIFICATES OF EXCELLENCE (INDIVIDUALS)
1. Col. Timothy Antigha of MNJTF
2. Comptroller Ahmed Usman of NIS Lagos Airport
3. CSP Ibrahim O. Mohammed of NPF Borno
4. Air Commodore PN Amadi of NAF
5. Ahmed Indimi of Reuters
6. Ohaeri Osondu of FRSC
CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE (ORGANISATIONS)
1. Al-Imran Foundation
2. Federal Fire Service
3. National Emergency Management Agency
4. Independent Corrupt Practises Commission
5. Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit
6. West Africa Network of Peacebuilders
